West Wight Arts Association

A pianist and composer, Aizhana Nurkenova was born in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Her mother discovered her composing at the piano when she was only eight years old, and as a result she began her piano studies in the Kulyash Baiseitova special school for gifted children. She gave her first solo recital at the age of twelve, subsequently performing with the National chamber and National symphony orchestras.

After graduating with distinction Aizhana received a scholarship from the Trio di Trieste School of Music (Italy) and also from the United World College of the Adriatic, where she continued her studies with Maureen Jones and Dario De Rosa, as well as with the Trio di Parma. Simultaneously Aizhana studied in the Kazakh State Conservatory with its rector Zhaniya Aubakirova

Aizhana is a prize-winner of several International competitions and prices.

Having won a Presidential stipend from the Kazakh government, Aizhana has been studying piano and composition at the Royal Academy of Music with Hamish Milne since 2005 and has participated in masterclasses with Konstantin Lifshitz,Vladimir Krainev, Lilia Zilberstein, Pierre-Laurent Aimard, Boris Petrushansky and Boris Berman. Whilst at the Academy she has been awarded the Worshipful Company of Musicians Harriet Cohen and Samuel Harold prize, a Musicians Benevolent Fund award and Vivian Languish Prize. Aizhana gained the top mark on her Final Undergraduate Piano recital and a Diploma with disntinction, and sunsequently has been awarded Leslie England prize as well as Mrs Doris Ethel Blake prize at the discretion of the Principal of RAM.

Aizhana’s recent engagements include the chamber festival within the collaborative project at Julliard School in New York.

Aizhana is currently in her final year of the Master of Arts progamme, supported by the Gilling family and a Winifried Christy scholarship for this academic year.